6-11-CKS-LUVS

Two first-rate theater companies, Theatre 40 and West Coast Jewish Theatre, collaborated to bring to the Theatre 40 stage, a very funny, wacky play directed by Howard Teichman. Murray Schisgal's play, Luv, is another one of those absurd pieces; one that lets us keep on laughing throughout. Though it first appeared on Broadway in 1964 and it might seem clichéd, for some reason it seems to continue to hold its own. The set is a bridge overlooking (most likely) the Hudson River in New York (beautifully created by Jeff Rack). A rather scruffy looking, unkempt man (Michael Goldstrom) is about to jump off of that bridge when along comes a gentleman, Milt (Rob Roy Cesar) who seems oblivious as to what is about to happen and blurts out, "Harry, Harry Berlin!" as he recognizes him as an old college school mate.


Betsy Zajko - Rob Roy Cesar - Michael Goldstrom


As the two strike up a conversation, Milt tells Harry about what a successful man he has become selling stocks while Harry has been a failure. But as the conversation continues, it is difficult to know which man is really the one who wants to jump off of the bridge. Milt finally admits his unhappiness because he is married to Ellen (Betsy Zajko), but is in love with Linda and Ellen won't give him a divorce. As he keeps talking he figures out that he can give Harry something to live for if he can make Harry fall in love with Ellen and vice-versa. Then Harry and Ellen would be happy and he can marry Linda and they can be happy.

After the happy announcements and the passing of time, Ellen is more miserable with Harry and Milt is more miserable with Linda than he was with Ellen. (It turns out that Linda has walked out on Milt.) The back and forth pairing of these four people (we never see Linda), is absolutely hilarious and the three actors bring a perfect comic characterization to their roles. What can the outcome be for all of these characters and will they somehow find their happiness? Needless to say, the bridge is the focal point of the play.

Luv plays Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m., through June 26, 2011 at Theatre 40 in the Reuben Cordova Theatre located at 241 Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills (on the Beverly Hills High School Campus). For reservations, call (310) 364-0535, or online at www.theatre40.org.

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